Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Damien Hirst Print Index
Mickey - Blue Glitter (Large)
Summary
Mickey - Blue Glitter (Large) is a 2016 silkscreen with glitter, published by Other Criteria in an edition of 50 at roughly 152 x 122 cm. Hirst distills Mickey Mouse into the essential spots of his celebrated spot paintings, the blue palette and glitter surface giving the large-format print an added shimmer. Each is signed and numbered.
Why It Matters
This print fuses two of Hirst's most recognizable languages: the universal pop icon and his own spot vocabulary. By reducing Mickey to a few circles, Hirst follows Warhol, Lichtenstein and Oldenburg in claiming the character, while asserting the spot painting as instantly legible shorthand for joy and childhood.
Collector Perspective
The Large format at an edition of 50 is scarcer than the smaller Mickey and Minnie runs, and its scale makes it a statement wall work. The glitter surface and blue colorway differentiate it within the series. Collectors weigh format size, edition number and the Disney-authorized pedigree when comparing the Mickey variants.
Historical Context
Hirst produced Mickey imagery at Disney's invitation, joining a lineage of artists who have reinterpreted the character. The work extends his spot paintings, begun in the late 1980s, applying their reductive dot logic to a figure Hirst calls 'a universal and powerful icon.'
FAQ
What technique is used?
It is a silkscreen print finished with glitter, published by Other Criteria.
How does it relate to Hirst's spot paintings?
Hirst reimagines Mickey Mouse as an arrangement of spots, reducing the character to the basic elements of his spot painting series.
How large is the edition?
The Large format was published in an edition of 50, each signed and numbered.
Was the Mickey imagery authorized?
Yes, Hirst reinterpreted Mickey at Disney's invitation, following Warhol, Lichtenstein and Oldenburg.
About the Artist
Damien Hirst (born 1965, Bristol) is a British artist and the most prominent figure of the Young British Artists (YBAs). Rising to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s, he built a practice around mortality, science, religion, and beauty — from formaldehyde-preserved animals to his Spot, Spin, and Butterfly (Kaleidoscope) series. Hirst is also one of the most prolific printmakers in contemporary art, releasing extensive signed editions through his own science-led studio and, more recently, the HENI imprint. His work has commanded record prices and defined the market for blue-chip contemporary editions.
Collecting Damien Hirst at Gauntlet Gallery
Which Damien Hirst prints should I collect?
Signed, numbered editions from his signature series — Spots, Butterflies/Kaleidoscope, Spins, Cherry Blossoms, and skull works — are the collectible core. Look for strong condition and the artist's pencil signature. Gauntlet Gallery prioritizes complete, well-documented impressions.
How is a Hirst print authenticated?
We sell Hirst works with documented provenance and the edition's signature and numbering; many carry HENI or studio documentation. Each piece is photographed exactly as it ships, including signature and edition details.
What drives value?
Series and image (iconic Spots and Butterflies lead), edition size, format and scale, condition, and provenance all drive value. Hand-signed, low-numbered, and diamond-dust or foilblock works command premiums.